Audi Q3: Safety Precautions
Start/Stop System Safety Precautions
Pay attention to the following when working on a vehicle
with Stop/Start system:
WARNING
There is a risk of injury if the engine starts
automatically in vehicles with the Start/Stop System.
- For vehicles with an activated Start/Stop system
(recognized by a signal in the instrument cluster), the
engine can be started automatically if needed.
- Make sure that the start/stop system is deactivated
when working on the vehicle (turn off the ignition, turn
on the ignition when necessary).
Pyrotechnic Components Safety Precautions
Note
Pyrotechnic components:
- Airbag units
- Belt tensioner
- Belt force limiter (depending on equipment)
- Battery cut-off components (depending on equipment)
Caution
- Testing, assembly, and repair work may only be
performed by qualified personnel.
- There is no change interval for airbag units.
- Never test with a test light, volt meter or ohm
meter.
- The pyrotechnic components may be check only when
they are installed and with a Volkswagen approved
vehicle diagnosis, testing and information system.
- When working on the Airbag System (pyrotechnic
components, Airbag Control Module -J234-, wiring), the
battery ground cable must be disconnected WITH THE
IGNITION SWITCHED ON. Then cover the negative terminal.
- Wait for 10 seconds after disconnecting the battery.
- The ignition must be SWITCHED ON when connecting the
battery. Nobody should be inside the vehicle with doing
this. Exception: Vehicles with a battery inside the
passenger compartment.
- If the ignition is not switched on after the battery
is reconnected - the warning lamps in the instrument
cluster do not turn on - the ignition (key/button) may
be switched on while sitting on the driver seat with the
seat all the way back.
- Follow the steps after connecting the battery. Refer
to
→ Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery; Battery,
Disconnecting and Connecting.
- Before handling pyrotechnic components of the
restraint system, for example, before disconnecting the
electrical harness connector, the relevant person must
discharge static electricity. Touching grounded metal
parts, for example, touching the door striker, will
discharge the static electricity.
- Wash hands after touching ignited restraint system
pyrotechnic components.
- Pyrotechnic components may not be opened nor
repaired; always use new parts (risk of injury).
- Pyrotechnic components that have fallen onto a hard
surface or show signs of damage must not be installed in
vehicle.
- Pyrotechnic components should be installed
immediately upon removal from shipping package.
- If the work must be stopped for awhile, put the
pyrotechnic component back into its shipping package.
- Do not leave the pyrotechnic component out
unattended.
- When connecting restraint system pyrotechnic
components, only the person performing the work should
be in the vehicle.
- Do not use any grease or cleaning solutions on
pyrotechnic components.
- Replace the airbag unit if any contaminants such as
oil, grease, paint, dye or cleaning solution have
penetrated the fabric.
- Pyrotechnic components must not be exposed to
temperatures over 100 ºC, even for a short time.
Special Information Regarding the Driver and Front Passenger
Airbags
- Store the driver and front passenger airbag units in the
uninstalled state so that the cushioned side faces upward.
When replacing airbag units, following sequence must be
followed exactly:
1 - Remove the old airbag unit and store with the upholstered
side facing up.
2 - Remove the new airbag unit from the transport container and
store it with the upholstered side facing up.
3 - Place the old airbag unit in the transport container
immediately.
4 - Install the new airbag unit in the vehicle.
Belt Tensioner Special Instructions
- Use extreme care when removing and installing belt
tensioners. Handling belt tensioner units improperly is very
dangerous and could result in serious personal injury.
- Belt tensioner units that are mechanically damaged (dents,
cracks) must always be replaced.
- The open end of the belt tensioner should never be pointed
at anyone.
- When connecting a belt tensioner, all mechanical parts,
including those in the three-point seat belt, must be secured
correctly. If it is not possible to connect the belt tensioner
because of insufficient space, the seat belt must be rolled up
completely prior to connection. In this case there is no
increased safety risk, if all other safety instructions are
followed. In particular, this includes the notes regarding the
disconnection of the battery and the static discharging of the
technician prior to connection of the belt tensioner.
- Even after a crash, it is possible that the belt tensioner
ignited, but the belt force limiter did NOT. Treat these
components as if they had not ignited!
Airbag, Belt Tensioner and Battery Cut-Out Units, Storing, Transporting
and Disposing
- Storage must conform to national legislation.
- Transport must conform to national and international
guidelines, whereby packaging, identification and shipping
documents are controlled to the greatest detail.
- Undeployed pyrotechnic components must be disposed of in an
orderly manner, conforming to national legislation, in their
original packaging! Direct questions to your importer.
- Only pyrotechnic components, which have been ignited
completely, may be disposed in industrial waste.
WARNING
- This does not apply to belt tensioners that function
according to the Wankel pretensioner principle. These
are to be treated like undeployed pyrotechnic components
(such as airbags, seat belts, pyrotechnic battery
components).
- Workshop equipment cannot determine if Wankel belt
tensioners have deployed all pyrotechnic materials.
Side Airbag Additional Safety Precautions
Caution
- We recommend using original equipment seat covers.
- Seat covers or extra covers that are not approved
specially for use on Audi seats with side airbags must
not be used.
- Do not cut the backrest material in side airbag
area.
- When installing, seam in side airbag region must run
straight.
- All cushion clips have to be replaced (metal and
plastic clips).
- Using original equpment upholstery clips is
recommended.
- During installation, all upholstery clips must be
placed in the same place they were when they were
removed.
- If cover is damaged (with rips, burned holes, etc.)
in side airbag region, it must be replaced for safety
reasons so that airbag deploys correctly.
- Do not repair the backrest cover in the side airbag
area (because of special materials and strictly defined
seams).
- Always replace the backrest padding if the side
airbag deploys.
- After an accident, all damaged parts must be
replaced. If no airbag unit damage is detected, the unit
can still be used.
- If thorax airbag units are replaced, the new thorax
airbag number sticker should be removed and placed over
the old sticker on the seat pan.
- Do not poke the cover with an upholstery needle or
other sharp objects near the airbag, the Front Passenger
Occupant Detection Sensor -G128- or the passenger
occupant detection system mat.
Head Curtain Airbag Additional Safety Precautions
Caution
- Visually check trim for damage before installing.
- Do not make any repairs to the trim panels (upper
A-pillar trim panel, B-pillar-, C-pillar-, and D-pillar
trim panels).
- Ensure secure trim seating when installing.
- Replace entire module when making repairs behind
side curtain airbag.
- Handle head curtain airbag modules with great care
when removing and installing them to prevent causing any
damage.
- Place any removed head curtain airbag modules back
in their transport containers or on a clean and even
surface with a cloth underneath.
- After servicing the body in the vicinity of the head
curtain airbag, check the body for welding beads,
deformation and chafe marks (compare with opposite side
of vehicle if necessary).
- As long as the gas generator is NOT attached, hold
it securely when transporting, removing, installing,
etc.
- Never rotate, coil, knot, throw, slide, push, hang,
squeeze, press, pinch or clamp head curtain airbag
module.
- They may be folded as long as this does not damage
them, especially the protective sleeve.
Front Side Airbag Crash Sensors (Pressure Sensors) Safety Precautions
Crash sensors for side airbags react to changes in pressure
and therefore must be handled extremely carefully. Note the
following points:
- Always use the correct installation position and only
install in the location intended in the doors.
- Protect the crash sensor from impact. Do not use a crash
sensor if it has fallen on the floor. When doing body work on
the door, the crash sensor should be removed.
- The crash sensor is calibrated to the volume of air inside
the door. If the door is deformed resulting in a reduced air
space inside the door, the function of the crash sensor will be
affected.
- Avoid contamination of the crash sensor. Do not use
compressed air in the area surrounding the crash sensor. Protect
crash sensor from filings or shavings (for example, when
installing door speakers later). Do not use cavity sealant or
spray lubricant in the area of the crash sensor.
- Protect against heat and cold. Avoid heating, for example
when painting or doing other body work. Crash sensors should not
be subjected to temperatures below -40ºC (for example, in
non-climate-controlled airplane cargo holds).
- Protect the crash sensor from moisture when storing or
installing it.
For failure-free crash sensor function, effective door seal
must be guaranteed after installation. Note the following
points:
- All components (for example, cover, speaker, door trim) must
be installed correctly.
- The door trim clips seal the system. If necessary, replace
retaining clips.
Passenger Occupant Detection System Deactivation Additional Safety
Precautions, Market-Specific
- After each repair to the front passenger seat where the seat
or backrest cover was "removed", a
basic setting of the passenger occupant detection system control
module must be performed using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.
- Do not bend the passenger occupant detection system mat.
- A leaking mat must be replaced (service kit).
- Do not bend the passenger occupant detection system pressure
hose.
- Make sure the components of the passenger occupant detection
system do not fall onto hard surfaces, do not come into contact
with grease and do not risk damage by resting against sharp
objects.
- The mat, the fleece and various covers must be fitted to be
free of folds.
- Make sure the seat padding and cover are positioned
correctly when installing.
- Replace all upholstery clips or clips and make sure they are
positioned correctly on the seat.
- The system basic setting can be performed at temperatures
between 0 and 40 ºC (32 and 104 ºF) with 8.R and 9.* airbags.
The temperature must be between 5 and 35 ºC (41 and 95 ºF) with
10.* airbags.
- Make sure that no objects are placed on seat when performing
basic setting.
- The use of additional seat cushions such as pillows impairs
the function of the passenger occupant detection system and the
operation of the airbag system.
Passenger Occupant Detection System Deactivation After a Collision,
Market-Specific
- Each time an airbag or passenger belt tensioner deploys, a
basic setting must be performed on the passenger occupant
detection system control module. Refer to Vehicle Diagnostic
Tester.
- If the seat rails and/or seat pan is replaced after an
accident due to deformations resulting from a crash, the passive
occupant detection system must be replaced using the "passive
occupant detection system service kit". Perform a "basic
setting" on the passenger occupant detection system control
module using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.
Passenger Safety System Pyrotechnical, Electric and Mechanical Components,
Replacing After a Collision
Special tools and workshop equipment
required
- Vehicle Diagnostic Tester
Note
- The airbag control module can be used for up to two
deployments of the side, driver and passenger airbag and/or belt
tensioner with airbag generation 8.* "not
8.R".
- The airbag control module can be
used for up to two side, driver and passenger airbag and/or belt
tensioner deployments with airbag generation 9.*, 10.* and 8.R.
- After the third deployment, the malfunction display "Control
module defect" appears.
Airbag control module must be replaced:
- with driver and passenger airbag deployment "but not with airbag
generation 9.*, 10.* and 8.R"
- after three side, driver, and passenger airbag or belt
tensioner deployments
- if housing is damaged
- if there is deformation in the tunnel in a 200 mm
circumference around the control module
Always replace the following:
- All triggered airbag units
- The Battery Interrupt Igniter -N253-
Also with passenger airbag deployment:
- Instrument Panel
- deformed passenger module supports (cannot be reformed)
- all sensors for front airbag on front end
- Remaining cross acceleration sensors if anchorage point is
deformed in sensor region
Also with driver airbag deployment:
- Coil connector with slip ring
- all sensors for front airbag on front end
- Remaining cross acceleration sensors if anchorage point is
deformed in sensor region
Also with side airbag deployment:
- Pressure sensors on deployed side
- Cross acceleration sensors on deployed side
- Cover
- Cushion
- with a folding rear seat backrest: side cushion (if
equipped)
- Remaining cross acceleration sensors if anchorage point is
deformed in sensor region
In addition:
- All automatic belt retractors with deployed belt tensioners.
- All automatic belt retractors with deployed seat belt force
limiters (depending on vehicle equipment).
- Seat belt latches for all automatic belt retractors with
deployed seat belt tensioners with the belt on
- seat belt height adjuster (manual and power) for all
automatic belt retractors with deployed seat belt tensioners
with the belt on
- Connect the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester if there is a chance
the belt tensioner and/or seat belt force limiter deployed.
- In "guided fault finding" under
"15 - Airbag", check whether there is a crash entry in the
airbag control module.
- Also check if the "Resistance too large" error is stored for
the belt tensioner and/or belt force limiter. Deployed belt
tensioners and/or belt force limiters must fulfill both
conditions. "Prerequisite: the airbag control module was not
replaced yet".
Note
- The "Resistance too large" error may also be stored if there
is an open circuit. Then there is no crash entry.
- Depending on the crash, the belt tensioner may have deployed
while the belt force limiter did "NOT".
In that case, follow the disposal information for pyrotechnic
components. Refer to
→ Chapter "Airbag, Belt Tensioner and Battery Cut-Out Units,
Storing, Transporting and Disposing".
- Also check the seat belts. Refer to
→ Chapter "Seat Belts, Checking".
- If parts of the seat belt system are removed due to an
accident, replace the belt system bolts.
- If needed (visual inspection), the following must also be
replaced: all faulty components.
- After replacing the airbag units or the control module,
affix stickers (only tear-off strips) to the registration card
and return the registration card to the relevant Sales Center or
to the Importer for registration.
READ NEXT:
All damaged securing pieces must be replaced, you cannot
reshape components or "make them fit".
The following components must be checked after every airbag
deployment.
With a passenger airbag de
1 - Center Console
Overview. Refer to
→ Chapter "Overview - Center Console".
2 - Driver Side Instrument Panel Cover
Overview. Refer to
→ Chapter "Ove
SEE MORE:
To maintain the decorative appearance of light alloy wheels
for a long time, regular care is necessary.
In particular, road salt and dust from brake abrasion must
be thoroughly washed off every two weeks. Otherwise, the paint
of the light alloy wheel will be attacked.
The following are appro
Overview - Latch Release Cable
1 - Right Hood Latch
Removing and installing. Refer to
→ Chapter "Hood Latch, Removing and Installing".
2 - Hood Latch Cable
Removing and installing. Refer to
→ Chapter "Release Cable, Removing and Installing".
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